Step 2: What happens at the mill?

In this 3 part series you can come with us on a virtual tour of the mill

Part 1 – receiving and processing the grains

Have you ever wondered what goes on inside the mill? How do your grains get processed? Come with us as Quentin Kennedy, Kialla’s managing director, takes us on a tour of the Kialla mill.

In part one we will take at look at the receival process, the process the grains go through when they arrive on the truck direct from the farm. They are tested for various qualities which will affect how they are milled and what they are milled for (eg: baking flour or cake flour require different types of wheat). They are then graded and milled.

You’ll get to see our stoneground mill (yes, it’s not much to look at – no romantic millstones being turned by giant water wheels). And you can see our newly installed ‘roll stands’

These look like giant boxes, but truth to tell, this is what a modern milling machine looks like. They can be set to produce different grinds which is how we can take grains of wheat, or maize, barley etc and produce kibble, coarse meal, or fine flour.

You’ll also get a glimpse of the beautiful Darling Downs region, where most of our grains are grown. Greenmount, where the mill is located, is just outside Toowoomba in South East Queensland.

Part 2: processing, milling and packing the products

In part 2 of our tour, you can see how we pack bulk quantities of grains when products are being sent to artisan bakers and our distributors around the country and overseas.
We’ll show you how we blend the old and the new technology – you saw our stoneground mill, and now you’ll see our packing robot.

When it comes to the retail packs you can find on the shelves at your local organic store, we’ll take you through the process of how we ensure each packet contains the right amount of product. You’ll then see the quality control process it goes through before we box it for delivery.

And you will get to meet Joan, our quality assurance expert, who has been in charge of our packaging area for more than a decade. She is also an excellent baker of cakes…I’ll get her to share one of her recipes via the blog.

And, yes, it was pouring with rain the day we shot this! You’ll hear it at the beginning of the video when Quentin comes out of the office. When it comes to farming, rainfall is crucial to the growth of the crop. However, too much rain can be a bad thing.

Part 3: Dispatching the products around Australia and overseas

In the 3rd part of our mill tour you will see how the products are stored and then dispatched to artisan bakers, food processors and your local organic shops.

Because we only do organic products, we don’t use any pesticides to control vermin and insects. Basically we keep everything in cold storage until it is dispatched, and this solves any pest problems. This is also the best way for you to keep your Kialla products fresh – store them in the fridge if it’ll be a while ’til you use them, or once you’ve opened them.

You’ll also see the giant rolls of cling wrap we use to wrap bulk grains prior to dispatch. And then witness the art of packing as our forklift driver carefully loads the goods onto the delivery truck.

From here, our small patch of ground in Greenmount, the products are off to manufacturers and retailers across the country – to where ever you are – and across the world as well.

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Pernille Berg Larsen, Baking Teacher & Author

I always get the best result using your Organic Rye flour!

Cherie W., Home Baker

I never make a bad loaf of bread now, since changing over to Kialla flour… I can’t get over the superior quality of your product. I have bought some for everyone in my family.

Pauline Mirabelli from Simply Honest Foods

We’ve found that Kialla popcorn is the best – it pops so much better than other popcorns, and it tastes great. Our kids love it.

Mrs Ergül of Mrs Ergül's Delish Treats

I truly like the transparency and traceability that Kialla Pure Foods offers. I’m actually able to see which farm grew the wheat milled into my 10kg bag of flour. This really sealed the deal for me. And I feel that Kialla sets themselves apart in this sense.

Rebecca Laughery, Consumer

We’ve tried several other pancake mixes but nothing comes close to yours!

Lisa, owner & baker at Sweet Tooth Noosa

Of all the brands of flour I have used Kialla is by far the BEST!

Meredith J. Home Baker

Kialla is the best flour I’ve ever used – and that includes some great US flours. Please keep milling forever!!

Jacqui Mead, Consumer

We’ve been using Kialla’s products for approximately seven years now, making the change to Organic Spelt Flour following the discovery that my son had a wheat and dairy intolerance. I have found that our whole family’s health has improved.